The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-10
THE FIELD OF LITERATURE
0SlaY or Saxon -

| of brochure entitled "Slav or Saxon shortly
to be published by g. p. Putnams Sons, New
York. Its author is Hon. VIM. D. Foulke, of
| Richmond, Ind. In this little work, which COM
prises in all but 148 pages. the author propounds
| problem interesting to every philosophical
student of history, viz. the coming race suprem-
acy In the eastern hemisphere. In the western
hemisphere the predominance, of course, must
and will, remain with the Saxon In the old
world, however, the Saxon is confronted by the
Slav and there BODIES between them a contest
for dominion which Mr.. Foulke believes threat
ems not only to involve all Europe, but to shake
the foundations OF civilized society itself These
two race factors are concreteiy represented by
England and Russia, respectively. By them all
other countries are to be absorbed conquered.
In the words of Mr.. Gladstone, "only England
and Russia have a future" ''In Spain,' Gays
Mr.. Foulke. everything reminds us of past great
ness and present weakness. It is a land of mem
DRY, not of hope" The power of Francois visibly
waning. Her people are physically inferior to
their ancestors. The drastic Naposonic wars
made terrible ravases among their best type of
manhood. and the prevalent RIGHTEOUSNESS is
sappine the vitality of the nation. Finally, and
most significant of all, the French people
inherently unable to coonize.
Italy is near the zenith of her power, being
'lmited, like France and Germany, by natural
boundaries, both of territory and race" Aus
tria, the very existence of whose monarchy
is continually threatened with the possible
disruption of its homogeneous parts be-
trays most plainly of all the weaknesses OF old
age"
Germany, the strongest of the western
circumscribed in territory. Much of her best
blood lie being absorbed by America and her
power is not far from its elimination. 1.-THE
Germans themselves" says Mr.. Foulke ''seem
to be conscious of this. We see this feeling
in their late efforts to drive the wedge of coloni
cation into the Carolinas. the Samoan islands,
give themselves more room. But they can only
colonize by sea, and there Great Britain holds
them at hec mercy. The only three
great peoples that remain the Americans
the English and the Russians. All three have
this common advantage: they have unlimited
facilities for growth" The two last named
will soon be locked in death struggle.
Its coming is already family visible We
see nothing now but cloud The size of a mans
hand, but the air is pregnant with storm
which will darken the whole sky. The difficult
ties in Afghanistan and Bulgaria only the
faintest premonitory murmurs; the real evil
dence of the coming struggle 10 the massing OF
a dozen conflicts followed by dozen reconcile
atoms; they would little except for the
vast powers looming up behind. The struggle
is TO be avoided, not by establishing sceu-
tific frontier nor by seizing this that mill
tary post, but by a disintegration of those
forces in the dominions of the Gar which
mankind. The hope of coming times lies in the
overthrow of the centralized despotism, in tho
establishment Of civil liberty in Russia. and in
the substitution or industrial methods for its
present military system-"
With this introduction Mr.. Foulke proceeds
to a consideration Of the nature and possibilities
of the struggle. This be understood only
oy journey to that undiscovered country, Rus
STA, and this journey Mr.. Foulke makes for the
reader in series of brilliantly written chap
ters in the Typographical, chronological, social
and political conditions existing in that vast
and heterogeneous empire. The various titles
are 1.-The Territory of Russia" 1.-THE Russian
People" THE Military Autocracy," Russian
Conquests and Aggressons," "The History of
Russia" THE Reforms of Alexander IL and
The Present Despotism." This last is
Mr.. Fouikes book is throughout an argumenta-
tive statement, and is so compactly written that
it is impossible to give epitome of it in a
limited space The chapters above mentioned
Constitute in themselves excellent handbook
on Russian civilization, which may ne read at
sitting, and with great profit The final chapter
is devoted to a discussion of the probable issue
of the contest between Russia and England. OF
the survival of the ftrest Mr. Foulke does not
seem to be very hopeful.
Russia, while maintaining the changeless char
acter of its despotisIn. abates nothing in its
power of conquest and assimilation. 1t is now |
formidable, and soon threatens to overshadow.
1.-THE force which must stay the stream of con- |
quest in Russia as in the case of ancient Rome,
must Lave is origin within the empire" There |
FORE in the nature OF that government, all |
lovers of liberty are interested Yet those who |
are loudest in denouncing England's oppression |
of the Irish people silent in the presence of
the bar barties of the Russian bureaucracy. "Our
own interest in this question" says Mr. Foulke, |
"seems to be very remote. We are SO far from |
the scene of the conflict that it looks to |
though it's consequences would never reach u.s." |
And there is still another reason for the apathy
existing in tho United States, which Mr.. Foulke |
in his conclusion.
IA quarter of a century ago, when our own Ma |
ton was threatened with disruption, the late Gear
was the friend of the Union, and the sealed in |
structions to his naval commander to assist the |
federal government in case of British interfer- |
full remembrance by q large portion OF our |
people. Many Americans willing to for |
get the indefensible course of ENGLAND at that |
critical period. On this account there is among |
us deep-seated prejudice against Great Britain |
and in favor Of Russia and in the event of a |
conflict, many Americans would be likely to side |
with even the present despot against 8 power |
which, in our time of trial, was itself fathless
to the cause of human liberty. It is in conse- |
ouence of this feeling that the foregoing pages |
have been written. Ought to hold the peo- |
pie of England not then fully enfranchised, re- |
sponsible for the sympathies of the ruling classes
at that time2 Ought we now to exhibit, in this |
unreesoning manner, sentimental friendship |
for the government of Russia, account of the |
acts of former ruler, dictated manifesty by |
selfish motivesa 1t is the Russian people, and |
not the despot, to whom we should extend our |
8 ympathy. Whatever moral force will aid that |
people against the power which Expresses them, |
the Americans should not withhold. 1t was the |
dynasty of the Bourbons which helped us in our |
war of independence. but what American would |
spouse the cause of the Bourbons against the |
people of France2 The cause of liberty is |
cause. wherever it appears in the world. Her |
friends our friends, her enemies enc |
mics. Wherever voice is lifted. whether from
the bogs of Ireland, the plains of BULGARIA. or tho
SHOWS of Siberia. in protest against the chain |
which enthralls, let it be known throughout the |
world that the heart of America heats in sympa- |
thy with that voice, that no difference in race.
Or creed, or tongue, can sever that great bond l
which joins together ali the children OF liberty"
New Books.
Histories of America are numerous, some aim
ing to cover the entire field. while others con-
fine themselves to particular portions. /
These works, of course, vary in char
MI irdin